Exported Toxic Waste Containers Dock Back in UK

FELIXSTOWE, UK – Following investigations by the Brazilian authorities over 70 containers of toxic waste have docked today after being expelled from South America.

The cargo was originally shipped as recyclable plastic waste but Brazilian regulators found the dangerous waste, which includes syringes and condoms, at three different Ports in the country. Three men from Swindon in their twenties were arrested in the UK in July after a police investigation and have been bailed until October.

Government officials were at the Port to meet the MSC Serena when she docked earlier today. Mr Andrew Higham, head of the Environment Agency's National Environment Crime Unit, was at the quayside and said, “We are not going to allow our waste to be dumped on developing countries”.

This is the second story in a week we have run on the increasing trade in the illegal export from the UK of substances harmful to the environment and expensive to dispose of locally in the proper manner. Last Friday we told of the MV Margaret Hill which was prevented from sailing by Environment Agency officials who suspected she contained asbestos and dangerous levels of heavy metals.